We got a late start on our garden this year.  I had a hard time convincing my mind and body to actually get out there and plant anything.  But, we still have our strawberries.  (Which haven’t produced hardly ANYTHING, thank you!)  We also got some potatoes in the ground and they are looking promising.

As far as our bucket garden, it seems to be doing well.  I don’t think I have all the information and so it isn’t working just how I intended, but the plants are doing well.

In order for it to grow properly, you are supposed to put up a trellis support system.  We decided we would also make a frame that we could maybe cover with plastic.  John made a little “hoop coop” like we did for our chickens and it works great so far.  We haven’t covered it with plastic yet, but I think there is still time before winter sets in.  We hope to extend our season a little bit and maybe have some greens into the winter.  We’ll see if it actually happens!

My tomato plants are out of control and I wasn’t sure how to plant a bunch of “secondary” plants around them.  Apparently, I was supposed to “prune” the tomatoes to make that work.  Who ever heard of pruning tomatoes?  I guess I need to do some internet research.

We have gotten some pickling cucumbers out of the garden, a few tomatoes, some peppers, etc.  The potato that I planted is starting to die, so I think it may be time to harvest the potatoes.  I’ll keep you posted on that.

Avy uses the garden as a jungle gym.  Her friend is joining her here.

I guess that is about it.  The verdict is not out yet on the success or not.  But we are excited to try something new and maybe get even better next year.  I like not having to think about watering this part of the garden.  It is all automatic.

We just returned from a wonderful family vacation to Bryce Canyon.  It is located in central Utah (just over 3 hours from where we live.)  It was our first “real” camping trip.  We stayed two nights and did it all by ourselves!

I have never been to Bryce Canyon before and it is incredible.  There were people from ALL over the WORLD there.  We saw very few “Americans”.  People come from China to visit Bryce Canyon!  It was very cool.  We saw some amazing sites and had some good old fashioned camping fun.  It was a memorable trip and we are looking forward to our next camping adventure.

I made a smilebox slide show if you have a few minutes.  We took way too many pictures, but wanted to share in case you are feeling bored.  :)

Create your own free photo slideshow

We have what I call “The Bicycle Graveyard” under our carport.  Lots of parts of broken bicycles that my children use to repair their bikes.  Often John will help them make the necessary repairs, but more often the boys help themselves.  They are getting pretty good at repairing their bikes.

Well, a few weeks ago Calvin got this bright idea to create something new.  He wanted to attach two bikes together and make a tandem bike.  He shared this idea with me and although I was pretty sure it wouldn’t work, I told him to go for it.  He asked for my help and I said no.  I’m a busy mom and didn’t really want a part of it.  So, he did most of it himself.

He needed someone a bit stronger for the last part, so he appealed for John’s help and even though John is also very busy, he said yes!  What a great father he is!  Even though he was pretty sure if wouldn’t work, he still took the time to help and encourage the boys in their endeavors.  What a guy!  They spent a little time one evening getting it bolted together and then they did a test drive.  I came out with my camera to see how it turned out.

Now, these pictures were all taken before the actual “riding” of the bike.  It, of course, was a disaster.  Neither the front peddler or the back peddler really had any control over the bike.  I just sat there and laughed.  It was quite humorous.  But, you have to hand it to the boys for wanting to try it out.  They have since made a few adjustments, but aren’t quite ready to put it on the market.  Ha!

I have a couple really short video clips below.  I’m trying a different program and it looks like you can click on these links and it will take you to the movies.  Then, hit your “back” button on your browser to get back to this page.  The last clip is of Reed doing his new “jump” stunt over the train tracks.

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I think the last time we had professional photos taken of our family was about 7 years ago.  Well, that doesn’t count the several times we did photos with Grandma Pratt.   We aren’t that great about gathering the children together, finding outfits, and keeping in good spirits during the photo shoot, spending the money, etc.  There are lots of excuses for us!

But, we finally bit the bullet and did it.  We found a great lady through Craigslist.  (Actually, we bought a couch from her.)  Her prices were great and she did a fantastic job.  I highly recommend Rebecca Hoffman of Zion’s Studio (facebook) if you live in Utah county.  We paid a low fee and got the copyrights to the images.  It was a lot of fun, believe it or not.   We offered a reward of ice cream to the boys if they would cooperate and smile.  (Worked like a charm!)  Here are some of the photos we got….

I couldn’t resist and ended up getting a bunch of Avy.  She is just so adorable!

So, that’s us.  The Pratt Family.  July 2010.

Ivan was messing around with the calculator the other day and asking me how old John and I were. As it turns out, our family is 100 years old!

(I can’t get the numbers to all line up in the post….)

John                  38

Lisa                    36

Calvin               11

Ivan                  8

Reed                  5

Avalon       +    2

=         100

Ivan and I hatched out some more baby chickens.  They are so cute and adorable.  We are selling them for $2.50 a piece.  Straight Run–meaning not sure if they are male or female.  Mixed breeds.  We have fifteen to sell.  If you buy a lot, we’ll give you a good deal!  Raising chickens is so fun!

We have enjoyed having our little duckie around.  She has been placed in a new home and we wish her the best.  Here are some updated photos and movies so you can see how much she has grown.  (We often called duckie a “he”, but now really believe it to be a “she”.) We hope she continues to live a happy life.  (We took her to a farm down the road where there are other ducks living in harmony.)

The smilebox takes a little over 5 minutes to see the whole thing.  Eric and Brayden will for sure want to watch the whole thing.  And, of course, Gma and Gpa.  Or, you could skip some of the videos and get through quicker.

Free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

CRAWDADS!

My boys have discovered the joy of crawdadin’.  ’Nough said.

We just so happened to be going shopping the other day when, lo and behold, there was a kids “safety day” at the supermarket.  There in the parking lot was a HELICOPTER!!

All the kids got to sit in the cockpit for a few seconds.

They even had a fire truck and ambulance, etc.

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Avy loves to take care of her babies.  Here they are all lined up for some fun.  Avy is a good little mommy.

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The kids and I went to a local “Milestones of Freedom” event around the 4th of July.  It was very patriotic.  There we got to have our picture taken in front of the Statue of Liberty.

Ivan is trying to operate the magnified viewer, but for some reason it won’t accept his quarter!

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The boys found some more wild duck eggs by a nearby pond.  We incubated them and had two little ducklings hatch.

We gave them away to  some friends.

Ta Ta for now!